Rat incidents at St. John's high school deemed isolated

The assistant director of education for the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District, Tony Stack, says two incidents of rats at Prince of Wales Collegiate are isolated and not evidence of infestation.

Stack says the extermination company brought in to inspect the incidents has assured that there is no reason for concern.

The first incident took place in early December when an odor was detected in the school’s cafeteria.

A dead rat was discovered behind a wall. In the second incident, which took place on Jan. 10, no rodent was ever seen but evidence — feces and chewing marks — were discovered in a classroom.

Stack said in both incidents, the areas of concern went through thorough cleaning and inspection.

The students have been removed from the classroom where the rodent evidence was seen and will remain so for several more days.

The exterminator company has put out traps but since the clean-up of the classroom, there has been no further evidence that the rodent is still around.

Stack says the school is operating normally.

Parents have been informed of the incidents and he assures that health and safety are the absolute priorities for the district.